It was only a couple of weeks ago that Donovan McNabb had to excuse himself from work to take care of what the Eagles called "personal business."

(Twins Matthew and Andrew Canan. Andrew has the disposition of a lineman, Matthew a quarterback.)

It was very personal.

Roxi McNabb gave birth to healthy twins, a boy and a girl. With a four-year-old daughter, it makes McNabbs a family of five, which also happens to be Dad's number.

While his wife really did the work and McNabb said he tried not to let the precious matter affect his preparation the past few weeks, it probably did. When the newborns arrived McNabb felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Teammate Brian Dawkins, who also has twins, shook his head and suggested it would be all but impossible for McNabb to avoid the stress.

But let's not go too overboard and conclude McNabb will be a much better quarterback now that the kids are here and healthy.

Let's not blame the slump on the kids.